Agra police take no-bribe pledge

Police personnel in Agra on Sunday adopted a pledge to refrain from seeking or accepting bribes.

Police personnel in Agra on Sunday adopted a pledge to refrain from seeking or accepting bribes.

The move was an initiative of Aseem Arun, a 1994 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer posted as deputy inspector general of police (DIG) in the Taj Mahal city, who made all his subordinates swear at an open house on Sunday that they would refrain from seeking bribes with immediate effect.

Asked whether he was prompted by the Anna Hazare movement, Arun remarked: "Well, I was always keen to find some way to inculcate honesty in our rank and file. So, after a heart-to-heart talk with my men, I thought of trying this experiment and I am very hopeful that it will bring the desired results."

This followed a meeting of all his subordinate officers on Friday, when he sought a candid disclosure on why they indulged in corruption and bribery.

Significantly, the superintendents of police, the deputy superintendents of police, stations officers and the inspectors of different Agra police stations frankly came out with the compelling reasons that led them to make illegal money.

They said the foremost reason was the large scale corruption in recruitment until a few years back. Other reasons included the requirement of funds for maintenance of police stations, demand of bribes by departmental seniors for local postings and cuts demanded by those clearing the bills of the policemen.

In addition, the common reason given by most of them was that they were required to provide hospitality to their seniors visiting the district.

After an open debate and discussion on the issue, DIG Arun called upon his subordinates to make a beginning by taking an oath that they would shun bribes and corrupt practices.